Solar Guitars is expanding its sinister red-and-black aesthetic with the drop of the all-new Solar Guitars E1.61FR Assassin. If you ever wondered what would happen if Exodus’ Gary Holt and Metallica’s James Hetfield collided to design an uncompromising metal machine, this razor-sharp Type E model is your answer.
Following the massive buzz surrounding the previously released Solar Guitars T1.61FR Assassin, which brought a minimalist, single-pickup approach to a classic T-style body, the new E1.61FR takes that exact same high-gain attitude and wraps it in a dangerously sharp, aggressive footprint.
Stripped-Down Aggression Meet Elite Build Specs
The core philosophy here is total optimization for the modern metal player. Built with an Alder body paired with a ultra-fast Maple neck using a seamless Set-Thru construction, this guitar is engineered for effortless access to the highest register.
Beyond 24 Frets!
Speaking of the upper register: Solar didn’t just stop at the standard 24 frets. The dark Ebony fingerboard plays host to a massive 27 Super Jumbo Stainless Steel frets. It gives lead players and soloists a ridiculous amount of real estate to map out soaring, high-register runs.
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No-Nonsense Electronics: At the center of the instrument sits a single, fire-breathing Seymour Duncan USA Nazgûl Trembucker. Known for its clinical, razor-sharp pick attack, punchy low-end tracking, and flawless note separation under extreme saturation, it eliminates the need for a neck pickup.
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Premium Hardware Blueprint: Dive bombs and heavy vibrato are handled by the gold-standard Gotoh GE1996T double-locking tremolo system. Solar took it a step further by including a heavy 33mm-long Brass sustain block to maximize acoustic resonance, while mechanically muted tremolo springs stop pesky microphonic ring in its tracks.
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Stage-Ready Elements: Rounding out the hardware are Solar’s 18:1 locking tuners, a locking nut for bulletproof tuning stability, and Luminlay glow-in-the-dark side dots so you never get lost on a pitch-black stage.
It is the second 27-fret guitar released in the last week, following the Jackson Brandon Ellis Kelly KE27, which is $2199.
Wrapped up beautifully in a stealthy Carbon Black Matte finish with a bright red pickup bobbin and matching red truss rod cover accents, the E1.61FR Assassin is available right now for pre-order at $1,499.99.
Solar Guitars E1.61FR Assassin FAQ
Why does the guitar have 27 frets instead of 24?
The extra frets offer soloists an extended range into higher pitch registers, which is perfect for technical metal styles. The deep lower horn cutout on the Type E shape makes reaching the 27th fret surprisingly ergonomic.
What are muted tremolo springs?
Standard tremolo springs can ring out or create “ghost notes” when you play fast, staccato palm-muted riffs. Mechanically muted springs are wrapped or dampened to eliminate this unwanted noise, giving you tighter rhythm tracking.
How does this compare to the T1.61FR Assassin?
Both guitars share a very similar DNA: a single Seymour Duncan Nazgûl pickup, a double-locking Floyd Rose style tremolo, and the Carbon Black Matte finish with red accents.
The primary differences lie in the body shape (Type E extreme shape vs. the classic Type T shape) and the fret count, with the E1 boosting the spec sheet up to 27 frets.
The Verdict
The Bottom Line: The Solar E1.61FR Assassin is an absolute triumphs of minimalist design.
By stripping away tone knobs, neck pickups, and switching systems, Solar leaves you with nothing but raw, high-gain performance.
The combination of stainless steel frets, a premium Gotoh bridge, and a USA-made Seymour Duncan pickup makes this an incredible value for serious metal musicians.
Final Score: 8.3 / 10
| Category | Score |
| Build Quality & Hardware | 8.5/10 |
| Playability & High-Fret Access | 8.4/10 |
| Sonic Performance | 8.2/10 |
| Value for Money | 8.1/10 |
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